15 Seriously Shredded Vegan Bodybuilders You Should Follow on Instagram

When you hear the word “vegan,” the last word that would pop in your head would be “bodybuilder.” But low and behold, we’ve come across not one, not two, but 15 men on Instagram who will break down any misconception that you need meat to bulk up. These vegan bodybuilders prove that the only ingredients you’ll need to bulk up is hard work, determination and a little compassion.

TORRE WASHINGTON

Known as “The Vegan Dread,” Torre Washington has been a vegan for nearly two decades. When asked in an interview if there’s a disadvantage between vegans and meat-eaters, Washington said there’s no difference since muscle is built based upon your training regimen. “If anything, I am at an advantage being vegan, since plants expedite the recovery and recuperation,” he said.

RYAN NELSON

His philosophy? “Work hard, work smart, and master movements and exercises that help you perform at an extremely high level.” (Want to accelerate muscle growth while shredding body fat? Our Metashred Extreme workout will transform your body in just weeks.)

BERTO CALKINS

Committed to fitness, this New York-based vegan advocate posts a combination of short workout clips and healthy meatless meals to motivate his followers. (Steal these secrets from vegans without actually giving up any animal products.)

NIMAI DELGADO

Believe it or not, this mechanical engineer is shredded even though he’s never eaten meat in his life. It’s only been a year since he switched from being a vegetarian to full-on vegan, but he’s won several overalls so far in the INBA and NPC leagues.

FRANK MEDRANO

With almost a million Instagram followers, Frank Medrano is one of the most popular personalities in the weight training world. Unlike Delgado, he ate meat for the majority of his life, but switched to a plant-based diet after discovering two of his bodybuilding friends were vegan. Transitioning at first was rocky, but after a few months he felt the benefits of being a vegan and stuck with it.

PATRIK BABOUMIAN

Considered the “Strongest Man of Germany,” Patrik Baboumian currently holds the world log lift record in the 105k-category and German heavyweight loglift record. He’s been a vegan for six years and a competitor at IFSA Strongman events for 11 years.

DOMINICK THOMPSON

Ironman triathlete and activist Dominick Thompson said in a post that his body transformed and became stronger after eliminating meat during his time in prison. “I dominated the weight pile on the ‘yard’ with my new found raw strength,” he said. It’s been 15 years since he’s eaten meat and he’s not going back.

JOHN LEWIS

Just like a certain someone who won Mr. Olympia this year, “Bad Ass Vegan” John Lewis went from playing in Division I College basketball to becoming a body sculptor. As the co-owner of VeganSmart, a plant-based protein shake company, his goal is to help others fulfill a healthy life. (Protein isn’t the only thing you need to put in your shake. Here’s what else you need to add to your shake to get the best results.)

JON VENUS

Jon Venus constantly keeps his followers up to date on the challenges and successes of being a vegan bodybuilder on his account, as well as providing helpful information in his YouTube channel that rakes in over 250,000 subscribers. (Here are a few tips you can include in your routine from a guy who lifts 5 times his body weight.)

JORDAN DAVID

Often donning his posts with the hashtag #VeganAF, Jordan David is quite the supporter of animal rights. You would never guess that David’s only been vegan for about three years according to an interview, but he said there was no looking back after watching documentaries like Forks Over Knives, Earthlings and Cowspiracy.

MASSIMO BRUNACCIONI

World Natural Bodybuilding title holder Massimo Brunaccioni gives credit to his mother, who has been a vegetarian for over two decades, and his dog for turning to veganism. He’s been weight training since he was 16 years old—for nearly half his life, much like this vegan coach who gets in over 190 grams of protein a day.

BILLY SIMMONDS

Winner of the INBA Mr. Universe title in 2009, Billy Simmonds said in an interview with Vegan Magazine that vegan bodybuilding is not only possible, it’s optimal. "Within three years from first lifting weights properly and walking on a Bodybuilding stage as a novice, I had won Mr. Universe and become a Pro Bodybuilder,” he said. “Steroids? Meat? Not a chance.”

RAFAEL PINTO

This 21-year-old bodybuilder likes to post mostly colorful arrangements of the meals he makes, debunking the myth that a plant-based diet is flavorless and boring. (Inspired to become a bodybuilder, but don’t know where to start? Learn the basics with our beginner’s guide to strength training.)

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